Beech Tree News Network

The CMA Awards are Wednesday night(tomorrow or yesterday, depending on when you’re reading this).  The show is already a mess but hey, 2020 is Nashville’s Music City Center is the new location of the show.  Lee Brice, who was set to perform with Carly Pearce, and Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard have pulled out of the ceremony after testing positive for COVID-19.  He will be replaced by Lady A’s Charles Kelly on the performance of “Are You Happy Now”.  Hubbard announced he tested positive and will no longer perform the duo’s song “Long Live”

The show should be good(and interesting) nonetheless.  I think more than seeing who wins, I just want to see what this thing will look like.  With Reba being joined in hosting duties by first-time co-host Darius Rucker, and categories such as music video of the year(Dan and Shay w/Justin Bieber for 10,000 Hours, Miranda Lambert’s “Bluebird”, Jake Owen’s “Homemade”, Carly Pearce and Lee Brice’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now and Chris Stapleton’s “Second One To Know”.  I’ll go with Miranda for this one.

Musical Event of the Year consists of “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber. “Be A Light” by Thomas Rhett, Reba, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban, “The Bones” by Maren Morris and Hosier, “Fooled Around and Fell In Love”-Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes and Caylee Hammack and “I Hope You’re Happy Now” by Lee Brice and Carly Pearce.  I wouldn’t  be surprised if Dan + Shay and JB win. “Bluebird”, “The Bones”, “Even Though I’m Leaving”, “I Hope You’re Happy Now and “More Hearts Than Mine” compete for song of the year.  I’m thinking “The Bones”, written by Maren, Jimmy Robbins and Laura Veltz, wins this.

“10,000 Hours”, “Beer Never Broke My Heart” by Luke Combs, Bluebird” by Miranda Lambert, Maren Morris’ “The Bones” and Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” compete for single of the year.  Album of the Year nominees are Heartache Medication(Jon Pardi), Never Will(Ashley McBryde), Old Dominion(Old Dominion), What You See Is What You Get(Luke Combs) and Wildcard(Miranda Lambert).  I’m inclined to say Miranda Lambert wins.

New Artist of the Year is between Jimmie Allen, Ingrid Andress, Gabby Barrett, Carly Pearce and Morgan Wallen.  I’m going with Carly Pearce on this one.  Vocal Duo is between Brooks & Dunn, Brothers Osborne, Dan + Shay, FGL and Maddie & Tae.  I’ll go with. Well Florida Georgia Line will probably win.  Vocal Group is between Lady A, Little Big Town, Midland, Old Dominion and Rascal Flatts.  I’ll go with Midland on this one.  

Male Vocalist is between Eric Church, Luke Combs, Thomas Rhett, Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban.  I’d love either Eric or Keith to win but I’ll pick Luke Combs, who I also like.  Female Vocalist is between Miranda Lambert, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Kacey Musgrave and Carrie Underwood.  I’ll go with Carrie here.  Entertainer of the year, the category that made bigger news when Garth Brooks took himself out of consideration, is between Eric Church, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban.  I’ll go with co-Entertainers of the Year.  I think Carrie and Keith will share the honor.  I could honestly see any of these nominees win the award.  Well, except Eric.  The CMA’s do not like Eric Church for some reason.  I will, of course, be wrong about at least 50% of these guesses.  I look forward to this show every year but more so this year.  That has been the case with everything entertainment and just life-wise this year.  Anything is a welcome escape from the mess that is 2020, am I right?